Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is behind main rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu by more than five percentage points ahead of Sunday's presidential election, a survey by the pollster Konda showed on Thursday.
Mr Erdogan was predicted to win 43.7 per cent of the vote and Mr Kilicdaroglu 49.3 per cent, leaving him short of the majority needed to win in the first round, suggesting the election will go to a run-off on May 28.
The findings reinforced the impression that Mr Erdogan faces the biggest challenge of his two-decade rule in the vote. They were largely in line with some other polls that put Mr Kilicdaroglu, candidate of the main opposition alliance, ahead.
Mr Kilicdaroglu is seen as the symbol of a potential new future that threatens the President as he is representing Turkey's six-party opposition alliance.
The survey, carried out May 6 and May 7, put support for the other two candidates at 4.8 per cent for Sinan Ogan and 2.2 per cent for Muharrem Ince. Shortly after polling was released, Mr Ince withdrew from the race.
Konda said the majority of voters were leaning towards voting for Mr Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).
The elections will take place three months after an earthquake that killed more than 50,000 in Turkey and left millions homeless.
Konda, which publicly releases only one poll ahead of votes, undertook face-to-face interviews with 3,480 people across 35 provincial centres.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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